Racism
Statement from Mayor Bliss: Respecting and supporting each other
by (Mayor Rosalynn Bliss)
Submitted 11-14-2016 under NEWS
Hello Friends and Neighbors: Now that a few days have passed since the election, my heart is heavy as I hear from many of our fellow residents who have been subjected to hateful, racist, sexist and/or homophobic comments - comments made to them...
While you were fighting race, we were fighting hate
by (balexander)
Submitted 11-11-2016 under OPINION
I am not an idealist; I’m a realist. I don’t pretend to see things that are not real and I constantly confront false truths when presented with narratives that seek to confuse and misinform. With that in mind, I write this piece out of a...
Voting for Kent County Sheriff: Stelma feels "Fortunate race has not been an issue"
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 10-28-2016 under NEWS
Here are the first parts of Michael Scruggs' and Lawrence Stelma's interviews. The issue of race When asked if the question of race affects the election, Stelma didn’t think it was an issue. “We have a...
Voting for Kent County Sheriff: Scruggs focuses on reducing incarceration
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 10-28-2016 under NEWS
Here are the first parts of Michael Scruggs' and Lawrence Stelma's interviews. Bringing a new perspective to the Sheriff’s office Given the historical context of the first part of his interview, Scruggs has some clear ideas about the...
In age of Trump candidacy, understanding racism is crucial
by (prfcgr)
Submitted 10-11-2016 under NONPROFITS
On October 18, Partners for a Racism-Free Community will host the first part of a new series we have launched called Building Blocks centered on understanding the fundamentals of racism. In our particular line of work, we know addressing racism...
Student behind viral photo offers solutions during GVSU visit
by (fleuryj)
Submitted 10-06-2016 under NEWS
Leighton Watson, a 2014 graduate of the historically-black undergraduate college Howard University, is a West Michigan native who served as an advisor on President Obama’s Taskforce on 21st Century Policing during the Ferguson crisis. He...
Open letter to Forest Hills Public Schools superintendent from equity leaders, parents and alumni
by (Jeremy Moore)
Submitted 09-20-2016 under OPINION
Dear Superintendent Daniel Behm & the Forest Hills Board of Education: Mary Vonck Martha Atwater Susan Lenhardt Walter F. Perschbacher III Suzanne Callahan Michael Seekell Douglas Josephson It is with great concern that we write you...
Forest Hills flag incident is teachable moment for adults: Consider the realities of others before acting
by (balexander)
Submitted 09-20-2016 under OPINION
Growing up, I was never allowed to play with toy guns; this restriction came without explanation or justification. That was the way it was. I was once gifted this really cool wooden rubber band gun – it was placed in the trash. Anything...
Lowell graduate returns to West Michigan to discuss the power of student activism
by (Ashley-benedict)
Submitted 09-20-2016 under PLACE-MATTERS
Leighton Watson is a graduate of Lowell High School and former Student Body President at Howard University and served as an advisor on the 21st century task force on policing with President Obama during the Ferguson crisis. Watson will visit Grand...
The big picture: When you teach your kids racism, they will perform
by (balexander)
Submitted 09-13-2016 under OPINION
This past weekend I found myself at a conference in New York City discussing economic mobility for young people and scratching my head at the rhetoric being pushed by presenters and how conference planners seemingly erased the fact that disparity...